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20 October 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied
John Bridger Prof Johan Coetzee Roland Rudd Fiat Lux
From left: John Bridger, Old Boys Association Central Committee Board member; Prof Johan Coetzee; and Roland Rudd, Headmaster of Saint Andrews School; at the St Andrews Speech Day awards ceremony on 16 October.

Prof Johan Coetzee, Head of the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been named the recipient of the Fiat Lux Award – the highest honour bestowed by St Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein. 

The award, presented at the annual St Andrews Speech Day awards ceremony on Thursday 16 October, recognises Old Andreans (alumni of the school) who have made exceptional contributions to society through professional excellence and personal integrity.

 

A journey of values, excellence, and lifelong connection

Previous recipients of the Fiat Lux Award include notable figures such as former Nedcor CEO Richard Laubscher, palaeoanthropologist, Apartheid activist, and three-time Nobel Prize nominee Prof Phillip Tobias, former President of the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa Roger Crawford, and Carte Blanche Executive Producer George Mazarakis.

Prof Coetzee, who matriculated from St Andrew’s in 1995, describes the recognition as deeply humbling. “It is difficult to put into words what this means to me. As an Old Boy of St Andrew’s, it puts the seal of approval on the career path I chose – one that started in the corridors of that school 38 years ago,” he says.

He recalls that his school years shaped both his outlook and his work ethic. “The school taught me the importance of teamwork and resilience. It made me realise early on that life is not all rosy, and that one must maintain a balanced perspective – that is what sets St Andrew’s apart.”

For Prof Coetzee, this honour is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the close ties between the UFS and local schools of excellence. “It is extremely important for the UFS to maintain strong links with schools like St Andrew’s, which acts as a feeder for future students and athletes. It’s a win-win situation for both institutions,” he says.

He hopes that his recognition will inspire current learners at St Andrew’s to pursue their goals with perseverance. “I hope that this award awakens the drive in the current crop of pupils at Saints to realise that anything is possible – that your background or the setbacks you face do not define you. Also, and perhaps more importantly, that hard work and persistence does pay off.”

Prof Coetzee’s achievement reflects the UFS’ value of Excellence, exemplifying the university’s commitment to nurturing leaders who embody integrity, dedication, and a lifelong pursuit of learning.

News Archive

UV betreur afsterwe van baanbreker
2006-06-21

Die hoofbestuur van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV) het met hartseer verneem van die afsterwe van dr. Barnie Human.

 Dr. Human het ‘n B Com- en honneursgraad aan die UV verwerf.  Sy  bande met die UV strek oor amper veertig jaar.   Hy was vanaf 1967-1995 lid van die UV-Raad en was vir meer as dertig jaar betrokke by fondswerwingsprojekte vir die Ontwikkelingstrustfonds van die UV.  In 1977 is hy verkies tot nasionale voorsitter van die UOVS Oudstudente Reünie, voorloper van die latere Kovsie-Alumni Bond.  Hy is in 1981 deur sy alma mater vereer met ‘n eredoktorsgraad in ekonomie. 

 Dr. Human, wat deurlopend baie aktief betrokke by die aktiwiteite van die Kovsie- Alumni Bond, het in 1985 die Bond se hoofbestuurstoekenning ontvang vir uitsonderlike diens gelewer aan die UV.  Hy is ook in 1993 aangewys as ere-trustee van die Ontwikkelingstrustfonds.

 In Oktober 2004 het die UV hom vereer met ‘n Eeufeesmedalje vir sy bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van die UV se fondsinsamelingsaksies, veral ten opsigte van die vestiging van fisiese fasiliteite op die Hoofkampus in Bloemfontein.  Sy geldelike bydrae het die UV in staat gestel om die Callie Human-sentrum te bou.  Die sentrum is ter nagedagtenis van sy seun, Callie wat in 1967 in ‘n motorfietsongeluk oorlede is, opgerig.

 “Dr. Human was ‘n ware steunpilaar vir die UV.  Ons is dankbaar dat ons hom in 2004 daarvoor kon vereer met ‘n Eeufeesmedalje voor sy afsterwe,” sê prof. Frederick Fourie, Rektor en Visekanselier van die UV.

 “Ons simpatiseer ook met mev. Swannie Human en die egpaar se dogter, mev. Christina Strydom.  Dr. Human laat nie net ‘n leemte in die Bloemfonteinse sakewêreld nie, maar ook in die harte van die mense aan die UV wat hom geken het en saam met hom gewerk het,” sê prof. Fourie.

 Mediaverklaring
Uitgereik deur: Lacea Loader
Mediaverteenwoordiger
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Sel:  083 645 2454
E-pos:    loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
21 Junie 2006

 

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